Wood-carving machine



. May 13 19Z4.

F. J. WIDMAN WOOD CARVING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet I Filed Feb. 18 1922 May 13 1924.

- F. J. WIDMAN WOOD CARVING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 May v F. J. WIDMAN WOOD CARVING MACHINE Filed Feb. lg. 1922 Patented May 13, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,494,088 PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J. WIDMAN, 01? OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

WOOD-CARVING MACHINE.

Application filed February 18, 1922. Serial No. 537,374.

These machines are used for carving in ac cordance with the form and contour of a template or sample object. One of the ob jects of the invention is to provide an improved construction of machine of this kind which shall be simple in form and arrangement, and of such construction that it, can be very ruggedly built. Another object in this connection is to provide a construction of machine embodying the use of a relatively small number of simple parts and which can be cheaply manufactured and assembled.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a machine of such construction that a plurality of separate cutting tools may be simultaneously operated and controlled so as to simultaneously form a number of different facsimiles of the original object. In this connection, another feature of the invention relates to the provision of a construction. such that the cutting tool or tools may be very conveniently driven by a motor located either within the machine itself or at a convenient point outside of the machine.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same. which consists in the features of constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 shows a plan view of a machine embodying the features of the present invention:

F ig. 2 shows a side elevation corresponding to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a front elevation correspond ing to Figs. 1 and 2:

Fig. 4 shows a section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

5 shows a sectiontaken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and v Fig. 6 is a detailed section on the line 66 of Fig; 2. looking in the direction of the arrows.

In the construction shown in the drawings, the machine itself is carried by a rugged stand including the side members 6 and 7 which are joined together by the rods 8 as illustrated. This stand is provided in its four corners withthe vertical posts 9, 10, 11 and 12. The posts 9 and 12 at one side carry at their upper end the horizontal rail 13, and the posts 10 and 11 at the other side carry at their upper ends the horizontal rail 14. The clamping table 15 is located on the rails 13 and 14, and it may be shifted back and forth on said rails by reason of the rollers 16 which ride on the rails, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The posts 9, 10. 11 and 12 are screw threaded as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and the sprocket wheels 1'? are threaded on said posts, said sprocket wheels being supported by projections of the frame on which they rest. These sprocket wheels are joined together by a chain 18 traveling over them. so that by moving the chain in one direction or the other all of the sprockets will be simultaneously turned to uniformly raise or lower all corners of the table: 15. j In its rear portion thestand carries the upstanding brackets 19 and 20. These brackets are ofa rigid construction. Between the upper forward portions of these brackets there extends a truss bar 21. shown in faceview in F igs. 3, 4t and 5. This truss bar is conveniently made of channel cross section as shown in the side elevation of Fig. 2. The truss bar is of substantial construction and provides rigid support for certain of the elements.

Depending from the truss bar are the two brackets 22 and 28 as shown in Fig. 4: in particular. Each of these brackets has the outwardly projecting lugs 24 and 25. The bracket arms 26 and 27 are pivotally supported between the lugs of the brackets 22 and 23 respectively. so that said bracket arms 26 and 27 are allowed to swing about true vertical axes at their inner ends. This construction is we l illustrated in Fig. 4.

The outer end of each of the bracket arms 26 and 27 is bifurcatedtoprovide the jaws 28 and 29. The universal connections 30 and 31 located at the sides of the machine, each have the outwardly projecting arm 32 which is pivoted between the bifurcations of the jaws 28 and 29 of the corresponding bracketarm, so that the aforesaid universal connections are permitted to rock about true compelled to maintain to all practical intents and purposes its rigid form.

At the sides of this rigid frame are located the link supports 39 and 40. Each of these includes a link 41 whose front end is pivoted to the frame member 33 by the pivotal connections 42 and 43 constituting the vertical pivotal support. Each of these link connections also includes a link 44 whose rear end is pivoted to the rear frame member 34 by the vertical pivotal connections 45 and 46 constituting a vertical pivotal support. The links 41 and 44 are joined together by a cross link 47, as shown in Fig. 1. In the construetion illustrated, each of the links 41 and 44 consists of two sections, an upper section and a lower section, but manifestly a solid link arrangement might be used, if desired.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4 in particular shows that the link 41 at the left hand side of the machine, when viewed as in Fig. 4, is pivoted to the universal connection 30 by means of the vertical pivots 48 and 49, and

-'. that the link 41 at the right hand side of the machine, when viewed as in Fig. 4, is pivoted to the universal connection 31 by means of the vertical pivots 50 and 51..

Since the rigid frame is itself supported by the link connections 39 and 40, which link connections in turn are supported by the universal connectors capable of turning on horizontal and vertical axes, and also capable of a back and forth movement owing to the bracket arms 26 and 27, it follows that the rigid rectangular frame may be moved back and forth or tilted about a horizontal axis freely while at the same time bemg supported above the position of the table 15.

Extending between the rear upper portions of the standards 19 and 20 is the sup port rod 52. The links 53 and 54 have their upper ends mounted on this rod. These links are of substantial construction so that they cannot be moved parallel to the rod but they are allowed to swing about therod as an axis. The lower portions of the links 53 and 54 are connected to the rear member 34 of the rigid rectangular'frameby means of links 55, one of which is shown in Fig. 2. These connect-ions are of a pivotal nature as shown at 56. The front ends of the links 55 are pivotally connected to the frame member 34- by the horizontal pivotal connections 57.

The links 55 are also of a substantial construction and the pivotal connections 56 and 57 are of suflicient size and length to prevent the rigid rectangular frame from swinging sideways between the brackets 19 and 20, so as to compel said-frame to maintain at all times the same lateral position and prevent it from turning as a. whole about a substantially vertical axis.

The front portions of the side frame members 35 and 36 are extended forwardly beyond the frame member 33 to provide the jaws 58 and 59, as clearly shown in Fig. 9.. The bracket arms 60 and 61 extend forwardly from the rigid rectangular frame, their rear ends being pivoted to the jaws 58 and 59 by the connections 62 and 63 respectively. Between the front ends of the bracket arms 60 and 61 there extends a cross member 64 whose ends are pivoted to the bracket arms by the vertical pivotal connections 65 and 66 respectively. This con struction is such that the front cross piece 64 may be swung'back and forth with respect to the table 15; and said cross piece is permitted to move back and forth or up and down owing to the manner in which the rigid rectangular frame itself is supported.

The cross piece 64 carries a stylus 67 having a relatively blunt lower end which may be passed over the surface of the object which is being duplicated. As this passing movement is performed, the rigid rectangular frame itself will rise and fall or move back and forth in the necessary manner to permit the cross piece 64 to exactly follow the movements of the stylus.

The cross piece 64 carries one or more cutting tools 68, 69, 70 and 71. These are in the form of drills or the like carried by spindles which are journaled in the cross piece 64. These spindles are provided with the pulleys 72 which can be driven in any convenient manner. The driving construction illustrated in the drawings is as follows: There extends forward from the front frame member 33 a bracket 73 corresponding to each of the spindles. A bracket 74 above each of these brackets 7 3 carries a pair of pulleys 75 and 76, as shown in Fig. 5. Each of the brackets 74 is connected to the rigid bracket 73 by a pivotal connection 77, so that said bracket 74 can turn on a vertical axis, but is held in a more or less fixed position otherwise bythe presence of itsbracket 73. Extending forwardly from the truss member 21 is a series of brackets 7 8, and a drive shaft 79 is journaled with respect to these brackets. Forwardly reaching arms 7 8 are pivoted to the brackets 78. Another drive shaft 80 is journaled in the front portions of these arms '78 and carries pulleys 81 corresponding in position to the general positions of the brackets 73. -A belt 82 ill] passes over each of the pulleys 81 and the corresponding idlers and 76, and then over the spindle pulley 72; and by reason of the manner in which the brackets 74 are supported, it is possible for them to turn as may be necessary from time to time in order for the belts to properly follow the changing positions of the spindles and their pulleys. Links 81 reach upwardly from the brackets 73 to the shaft 80, so that said shaft is held at a fixed distance above the pulleys 75 and 76. As shown in the detail of Fig. 6, the lower end of each of the links 81 is pivotally connected to the bracket 78. A link 81" reaches between the bracket arms 60 and 61, and is connected to each of the brackets 74 by a link 81, so that said brackets 74 are swiveled according to the swinging movements of the spindle bar.

The drive sha' t 79 carries a drive pulley 83. and the drive shaft 80 carries a drive pulley 84, which pulleys 83 and 84 are joined together by the belt 85. A motor may be mounted on the truss member 21 or in the upper portion of the machine for the purpose of driving the pulley 83 or the shaft 79.

Examination particularly of Figs. 3 and 5 shows that the front frame member 33 is provided with a longitudinal extending opening of considerable size. This serves to lighten the rigid rectangular frame without seriously impairing its strength and rigidity. If desired, the various spindles might be driven from a common motor or drive shaft carried by the rigid rectangular frame, the pulleys passing through this opening. Other expedients will readily suggest themselves for communicating the drive to the various spindles, and I do not limit myself to the drive shaft illustrated, except as I may do so in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a wood carving machine the combination of a frame, a work supporting table mounted thereon, vertical stands at the sides of said frame extending above the table, a rigid rectangular frame, a cross support extending between said stands at a position above the aforesaid frame, a pair of downwardly depending arms rigidly connected to said cross support, outwardly reaching bracket arms pivoted to said aforesaid arms to swing about vertical axes, a universal connector at the outer end of each bracket arm, 1

a pivotal connection between each universal connector and its bracket arm permitting pivotal movement on a horizontal axis, a pair of link supporting members within the rigid rectangular frame reaching between its front and back sides, each such link supporting member including front and rear links pivoted to the rigid rectangular frame on vertical axes and joined together by a pivoted link, a journal connection between each universal connector and the adjacent link supporting member permitting pivotal move ment on a vertical axis, suitable connections between the rigid rectangular frame and the aforesaid stands serving to prevent sidewise movement of the rigid rectangular frame while permitting free movement of said frame back and forth and on a horizontal axis, a transversely extending spindle bar in front of the rigid rectangular frame, pi votal connections between the front portion of the rigid rectangular frame and said bar, a stylus carried by said bar, a plurality of cutting-spindles journaled with respect to said bar, and means for driving said spindles in any adjusted position of the bar, substantially as described.

2. In a wood carving machine the combination of a work supporting table a rigid rectangular frame above the same, a cross support rigidly located above the position of said table, a'pair of downwardly depend ing arms rigidly connected to said cross sup-' port, outwardly reaching bracket arms pivoted to the aforesaid arms to swing about vertical axes, a universal connector at the outer end of each arm, a pivotal connection between each universal connector and its bracket arm permitting pivotal movement on a horizontal axis, a pair of link supporting members within the rigid rectangular frame reaching between its front and back sides, each such link supporting member including front and rear links pivoted to the rigid rectangular frame on vertical axes and joined together by a pivoted link, a journal connection betweeneach universal connector and the adjacent link supporting member permitting pivotal movement on a vertical axis, means serving to prevent sidewise movement of the rigid rectangular frame while permitting free movement of said frame back and forth and on a horizontal axis, a transversely extending spindle bar in front of the rigid rectangular frame, pivotal connections between the front portion of the rigid rectangular frame and said bar, and suitable cutting tools carried by the bar, substantially as described. I i

3. In a wood carving machine the combination of a work supporting table, a pair of outwardly reaching bracket arms above the the table pivoted to swing on fixed vertical axes, a universal connector at the outer end of each bracket arm, a pivotal connection between each universal connector and its bracket arm permitting movement on a horizontal axis, a rigid rectangular frame above the table, a pair of link supporting members within the rigid rectangular frame reaching between its front and back sides, each such link supporting member including front and rear links pivoted to the rigid rectangular frame on vertical axes and joined together by a pivoted link, a journal connection between each universal connector and the adjacent link supporting member permitting pivotal movement on a vertical axis, means serving to prevent sidewise movement of the rigid rectangular frame while permitting free movement of said frame back and forth and on a horizontal axis, a transversely extending spindle bar in front of the rigid rectangular frame, pivotal connections between the front portion of the rigid rectangular frame and said bar, and suitable cutting tools carried by said bar, substantially as described.

4. In a wood carving machine the combination of a work supporting table, a pair of outwardly reaching bracket arms above the table pivoted to swing on fixed vertical axes, a rigid rectangular frame above the table, a pair of link supporting members within the rigid rectangular frame reaching between its front and back sides, each such link supporting member including front and rear links pivoted to the rigid rectangular frame onvertical axes and joined together by a pivoted link, a universal journal connection between each link supporting 'member and the outer end of the corresponding bracket arm, permitting back and forth movement of the rigid rectangular frame and pivotal movement of said frame on a horizontal axis, means serving to prevent sidewise movement of the rigid rectangular frame while permitting free movement of said frame back and forth and on a horizontal axis, a transversely extending spindle bar in front of the rigid rectangular frame, pivotal connections between the front portion of the rigid rectangular frame and said bar, and suitable cutting tools carried by said bar, substantially as described.

5. In a'wood carving machine the combination of a work supporting table, a pair of outwardly reaching bracket arms above the table pivoted to swing on fixed vertical axes, a rigid rectangular frame above the table,

' a pair of link supporting members within the rigid rectangular frame extending in a generally forwardly and backwardly direction, a universal journal connection between each link supporting member and the outer end of the corresponding bracket arm, permitting back and forth movement of. the rigid rectangular frame and pivoting move ment of said frame on a horizontal axis, means serving to prevent sidewise movement of the rigid rectangular frame while permitting free movement of said frame back and forth and on a horizontal axis, a transversely extending spindle bar in front of the rigid rectangular frame, pivotal connections between the front portion of the rigid rectangular frame and said bar, and suitable cutting tools carried by said bar, substantially as described.

6. In a wood carving machine the combioutwardly reaching bracket arms above the table pivoted to swing on fixed vertical axes, a rigid rectangular frame above the table, a pair of'link supporting members within the rigid rectangular frame extending in a generally forwardly and backwardly direction, a universal journal connectionbetween each link supporting member and the outer end of the corresponding bracket arm, permitting back and forth movement of the rigid rectangular frame and pivoting movement of said frame on a horizontal axis,

means for serving to prevent sidewise movement of the rigid rectangular frame while permitting free movement of said frame back and forth and on a horizontal axis, a transversely extending spindle bar carried by the rigid rectangular frame, and suitable cutting tools carried by said bar, sub stantially as described.

7. In a wood carving machine the combination of a work sup-porting table, a pair of outwardly reaching bracket arms above the table pivoted to swing on fixed vertical axes, a rigid rectangular frame above the table, a pair of link supporting members within the rigid rectangular frame extending in a generally forwardly and backwardly direction, a universal journal connection between each link supporting member and the outer end of the corresponding bracket arm, permitting back and forth movement of the rigid rectangular frame and pivoting movement of said frame on a horizontal axis, means serving to prevent sidewise movement of the rigid rectangular frame while permitting free movement of said frame back and forth and on a horizontal axis, and suitable cutting tools carried by the front portion of the rigid rectangular frame, substantially as described.

8. In a wood carving machine the combination of a work supporting table, a rigid rectangular frame above the table, a pair of link supporting members within said frame extending in a generally forwardly and backwardly direction, means for supporting the rigid rectangular frame through said link connections on universal joints permitting back and forth movement of the rigid rectangular frame and pivoting movement of said frame on a horizontal axis, means for serving to prevent sidewise movement of the rigid rectangular frame while permitting free movement of said frame back and forth and on a horizontal axis, and suitable cutting tools supported by the front portion of the rigid rectangular frame, substantially as described.

9. In a wood carving machine the combination of a work supporting table a rigid rectangular frame above the same, a cross support rigidly located above the position of said table, a pair of downwardly denation of a work supporting table, a pair of pending arms rigidly connected to said cross mes es support, outwardly reaching bracket arms pivoted to the aforesaid arms to swing about vertical axes, anniversal connector at the outer end of each arm, a pivotal connection between each universal connector and its bracket arm permitting pivotal movement on a horizontal axis, a pair of link supporting members within the rigid rectangular frame reaching between its front and back sides, each such link supporting member including front and rear links pivoted to the rigid rectangular frame on vertical axes and joined together by a a central pivoted link, a journal connection between each universal connector and the adjacent link supporting member permitting pivotal movement on a vertical axis, means serving to prevent sidewise movement of the rigid rectangular frame while permitting free movement of said frame back and forth and on a horizontal axis, a transversely ex tending spindle bar in front of the rigid rectangular frame, pivotal connections be tween the front portion of the rigid rectangular frame and said bar, suitable cutting tools carried by the bar, a drive shaft parallel to the cross support, forwardly reaching arms pivoted co-axially with respect to said drive shaft, another shaft journaled in the forward ends of said arms, link connections between such shaft and the forward portion of the rigid rectangular frame, and suitable drive pulleys on the drive shaft,

second mentioned shaft, and forward portion of the rigid rectangular frame for driving the spindles from the drive shaft, sub stantially as described.

10. In a wood carving machine the com bination of a work supporting table, a cross support rigidly located above the position of said table, a rigid rectangular frame above the position of the table, suitable connections between the cross support and the rigid rectangular frame permitting said frame to move back and; forth and about a horizontal transverse axis with respect to the table while preventing sidewise movement of the rigid rectangular frame, a spindle bar swingingly connected to the front portion of the rigid rectangular frame, cutting spindles journaled in said spindle bar, a drive shaft journaled with respect to the cross support, a forwardly extending arm journaled with respect to the cross support, another shaft journaled with rescribed.

FRANK J. WIDMAN 

